A ROK (Republic of Korea) commander, whose unit was fighting along with the Marines, called legendary Marine (at the time, Colonel) Lewis "Chesty" Puller to report a major Chinese attack in his sector. "How many Chinese are attacking you?" asked Puller. "Many, many Chinese!" replied the excited Korean officer. Puller asked for another count and got the same answer, "Many, many Chinese!"

"Damn it!" swore Puller, "Put my Marine Liaison Officer on the radio." In a minute, an American voice came over the air: "Yes sir?" "Lieutenant," growled Chesty, "exactly how many Chinese you got up there?" "Colonel, we got a whole shitload of Chinese up here!"

"Thank God," exclaimed Puller, "At least there's someone up there who knows how to count."

I enjoyed that so much, I think I'll re-post a blast from the past...

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Friday, February 03, 2006

Quotes Of The WeekFrom the greatest Marine who ever lived

"Our Country won't go on forever, if we stay as soft as we are now. There won't be any America - because some foreign soldiery will invade us and take our women and breed a hardier race." --Lieutenant General Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller. 1955

"They're on our right, they're on our left, they're in front of us, they're behind us; they can't get away from us this time." - Col.Chesty Puller when told that the understrength 1st Marine Division was surrounded by 8 Communist Chinese Divisions, Chosin Reservoir, Korean War. 1951. The Marines won.

When an Army captain asked him for the direction of the line of retreat, Col Puller called his artillerymen, gave them the Army position, and ordered: "If they start to pull back from that line, even one foot, I want you to open fire on them." Turning to the captain, he replied "Does that answer your question? We're here to fight." Col.Chesty Puller at Koto-ri in Korea. 1951

"Son, if they give you any shit, level the place." Lt. Col.Chesty Puller giving orders to a young Company Commander in the South Pacific, 1944

When asked what kind of Marine his distant cousin, George Patton would have made, Chesty responded; "he would have made a half-assed 2d Lieutenant".

Reporter; "Colonel, you've got Chinese to your front, to your rear, to your left and to your right. What are you going to do now?" Col. Puller; "Damn sight better than the U. S. Army. At least I know they'll be there in the morning!" Chesty at the Chosin Reservoir, Korean War. 1951.